Small wagon vs Van?

[packy]

<!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I started out thinking minivan. Have a ’94 Safari Conversion, 190K miles but well kept. Situation has changed somewhat, now considering my other car. Have a 2003 Ford Focus wagon. Less than 100K and been great in and out of town. Here are my thoughts: The Van is 6 cylinders and gets maybe 20 mpg at best. Ford gets 35 at best. Van has much room, Focus is minimalist but I have camping gear and could get trailer or exterior cargo capability. I’m looking at full timing year round. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>I plan on spring thru fall traveling the Rockies and winter over on the gulf coast.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have income to pay for necessities and can afford fees a few days a month. I really want to disperse camp, free of charge and people, as much as possible. I don’t want or need much but a bed, warmth in winter, and periodic internet and electricity, along with a hot shower every once in a while.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Focus meets my fuel needs as well as serving as a small, yet accommodating dwelling. The van gives me greater living space but has the downside of fuel economy and age. I bought the van for van dwelling in mind. I have used it this past hunting season for a few weeks. I can get a bunch of stuff in there and still have room to move around once at the camp site.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It sucks for air conditioning due to size and color. It also lacks good heating for same reasons. The Focus has great air and heat. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>Have slept in both. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>Ground clearance on van is pretty good and Focus is lower obviously. Have used both on back roads and trails while hunting, but never in rough terrain like I suspect I’ll find in the Rockies. Lift kits are possible for both. Both have racks on top and receiver hitches. Van is RWD and Focus is FWD.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The Focus has 80-100 ft3 of cargo space versus 180-200 ft3 for the van (seats removed both). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Would like to hear from minimalists/car dwellers on small car living. I KNOW big is great but anyone done both?</p>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Never done, either, yet. This site has some pros and cons to consider.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I vote for more space vs. better mileage. It would be a pain to have to set up and break down&nbsp;a tent site when I wanted to move on.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://vandwellers.org/car.htm" target=_blank>http://vandwellers.org/car.htm</a></p>

 

[Bear]

sounds like you are leaning toward the ford - how about trying it for a month before deciding?<br><br>I lived out of a non-camper vanagon off and on for month or so at a time, couldn't imagine living out of anything smaller for very long and still enjoying it<br><br>might think about the mpg change if that ford has to pull a trailer, and personally do not know how well FWD vehicles do pulling trailers<br><br>good luck!<br>

 

[High Plains Drifter]

There are not really any minimalist people on this site, maybe a handful or so. Most all have a full size van, RV or a cargo trailer. I stay in a jaguar that the back seat folds down into a station wagon type area that is six feet long. In the car I still have room for a travel bag, suitcase, two or three banker boxes of folded clothes and a plastic tub that is ten inches tall and twenty inches long, laptop, shoes, boots, laundry soap, jacket, coat, sportcoats and several other miscellaneous things still having room to stretch out and sleep in the back. The jag gets close to 30MPG on the highway. I will someday buy a minivan or a Volvo v70 station wagon but I will still get 26MPG. The extra room would make it a little easier to wash up in and so forth. Oh, and then with the extra room I could start to acquire and store some needless items like I had to have in my house all of my life. <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[VanFan]

The extra room would make it a little easier to wash up in and so forth. Oh, and then with the extra room I could start to acquire and store some needless items like I had to have in my house all of my life. <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

<br>LOL!&nbsp; Good point!<br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

You can't ask other people what will make you happy! Only you can answer that. Have you ever lived as a minimalist, or does it just seem like a good idea? Remember, the goal of vandwelling is to find happiness for yourself, not prove anything or be a rebel. The all important question is will you be happiest with the minimal amount of stuff that fits in a Focus, or with the more stuff that will fit in the Safari? Would traveling more in a car with less stuff bring you more joy than traveling less but having more things?<br><br>One more thought, if you plan to spend your time dispersed camping on public land, then get the van. Carrying 14 days of food and water and camping gear takes lots of room. If you carry less then you are making many extra trips into town on backroads which will tear up the Focus and eat up your gas savings. Coloroado is gorgeous in the fall but be sure to have cold weather gear because it can roll in at any time and even the desert can be very cold at night all winter. Cold weather gear takes up extra room. You should also carry some recovery gear just in case you get stuck. When you get stuck in a rain or snowstorm (and you will) that lasts for 3-5 days, would you rather be in the van, or the focus for that whole time?&nbsp; In the city it doesn't matter, you can just go hang out in Barnes and Noble or Starbucks, not so in the forest or desert. What about when the flys/mosquitos are so thick they can pick you up and carry you away? Will you be glad you had the car or van? <br><br>These are the kinds of thigs you need to consider. Bob<br><br>

 

[packy]

Thanks folks for the input. Bob you brought me back to reality. I guess I hadn't fully thought out the actual logistics of long term stays in remote locations. The longest I've spent boon-docking anywhere is about 2 weeks. Even then a "run into town" was only a few miles.<br><br>I'm not really a minimalist, but I do know that I have to prioritize what I really need versus what would be nice to have. I could live in the Ford if I had to, but I don't have to, so the van really is the better option. <br><br>Need to get started on my conversion. Thanks all for the input.<br><br>

 

[WanderingRonin]

Mr. Bob puts it all into perspective! That's experience for ya.&nbsp;<div><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div><div>I cannot add any more 2 cents except to say "what Bob said".</div><div>Good luck with your choice!&nbsp;</div>

 

[akrvbob]

I love dispersed camping in the backcountry, but there is no question it takes up extra room. As a campground host I watch people come into my campground and unload great mounds of gear. Some of it is overkill, but to be comfortable out here takes more stuff.<br><br>I was a campground host outside of Leadville, CO and I highly recommend it as a great place to spend a summer. Lots of great dispersed camping just 10 miles out of town on a pretty good road. I loved Leadville, it has lots of free wifi and a Safeway. The nearest Walmart is in Vail, about 30 miles away. Great hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, Jeeping and photography. September is cold, and October means snow, but the fall colors are amazing all over CO. Bob<br><br>